What Makes Meet the Most Versatile Houseplant and How Do You Choose?
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the plant that launched a million plant collections. It's forgiving, fast-growing, beautiful, and comes in more varieties than most people realize.
Whether you're a beginner starting your first plant or a collector seeking the rarest cultivars, there's a pothos for you.
The Classic Varieties
Golden Pothos (E. aureum 'Golden')
The most common variety, with heart-shaped green leaves splashed with gold. It's the plant your grandmother probably grew, and for good reason — it's nearly unstoppable.
- Light: Low to bright indirect
- Growth rate: Fast
- Availability: Everywhere
Marble Queen Pothos (E. aureum 'Marble Queen')
Stunning white and green variegated leaves that look painted. Slightly slower growing than the golden variety but worth the wait.
- Light: Medium to bright indirect (needs more light to maintain variegation)
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Availability: Common
Jade Pothos (E. aureum 'Jade')
Solid, deep green leaves without any variegation. Often overlooked, but its rich, uniform color has an understated elegance.
- Light: Low to bright indirect
- Growth rate: Fast
- Availability: Common
Neon Pothos (E. aureum 'Neon')
Vibrant, chartreuse-green leaves that practically glow. This variety adds a pop of color to any collection and looks especially stunning trailing from a dark shelf.
- Light: Medium indirect (color intensifies with more light)
- Growth rate: Fast
- Availability: Common
The Collector's Varieties
Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue')
Blue-green, elongated leaves with a metallic sheen. As the plant matures, the leaves develop dramatic fenestrations — holes that make it look almost like a monstera.
Global Green Pothos (E. aureum 'Global Green')
A newer variety with larger, more deeply variegated leaves than the standard golden. Each leaf is uniquely patterned.
Pearls and Jade Pothos (E. aureum 'Pearls and Jade')
Compact growth with small, rounded leaves featuring white, green, and gray variegation. Perfect for small spaces.
Glacier Pothos (E. aureum 'Glacier')
Similar to Marble Queen but with more silvery-white variegation and a more compact growth habit. Leaves are smaller and more numerous.
Care Tips for All Pothos
Regardless of variety, all pothos share the same basic care needs:
- Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
- Provide bright indirect light for best variegation
- Use standard potting soil with added perlite
- Feed monthly during spring and summer
- Prune to encourage bushier growth
Fun fact: Pothos can grow in water indefinitely. Simply place a cutting in a jar of water, change the water weekly, and it will thrive for years.
Start with a Golden Pothos to learn the basics, then gradually add varieties that catch your eye. Before long, you'll have a diverse and beautiful collection.
